Bicycle-support



(No Model.) I z-smew-snwl. W; K. PLATT, I 4

BIGYOLB sUr PoRTf No: 566,071. P tente Aug. 18, 1896.

Witnesses. Inventor,

Attorney.

Tm: mam: PEIERS co.. momuma. 'wqnmcruu. n. c.

(NO Model.) K 2 SheetsSheet, 2. BICYCLE SUPPORT.

No. 566,071 'Paten-ted Aug. 18, 1896.

\Vitnesses. Inventor. jfif fiazt Attorney.

THE mm: mass 120., movaumuqvnsume'rom n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM K. FLATT, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA.

BICYCLE- SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,071, dated August 18, 1896.

Application filed April 20, 1896.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM K. FLATT, a citizen of the United States of America, re siding at Duluth, in the county of St. Louis and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicyole-Supports; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in bicycle-supports, and the object is to provide a support of the kind named and for the purpose intended which is simple and durable in construction, easily and readily manipulated, and eflicient in operation and effects.

I have fully and clearly illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side View of a safety-bicycle having my invention applied thereto, the supports being shown moved down to sustain the bicycle in upright position. Fig. 2 is a detail View showing apart of the frame and the supports lifted to the position to which they are carried when the wheel is in motion. Fig. 3 is a detail front view of the supports removed from the machine, and also showing in dotted lines the supports moved to their outward and downward limit into the position they assume when so held. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the latch for holding the lever. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the actuating-lever.

A designates a bicycle -frame of a wellknown type, to which my invention is applied and secured. To each of the crank-bars 1 2, adjacent to the crank-bracket, is rigidly securedavertically-arranged sleeve 3 4, formed with a spirally-disposed slot 5. In the sleeves 3 4 are fitted the stems of the supports B B, provided with studs b b secured in the supports and projecting into the spirally-arranged slots of the sleeves, so that when the supports are moved down the engagement of the studs in the slots will rotate the supports and turn the lower ends outward. The lower portions of the supports are curved, as at 7, and carry on their ends wheels 8 8 held in Serial No- 588,289. (No model.)

stirrups 9, having their stems journaled in the ends of the supports.

It will be perceived that by changing the direction of the spiral slots the supports may be made to operate with their curved portions standing to the rear and in the reverse to the position indicated in the drawings. To the saddle or top bar of the frame is fulcrumed a curved lever 10, the rear end of which is formed with bearings 11 11 consisting of open-end slots which take about the annular necks or grooves 12 in the upper ends of the supports. To the front end of the lever 10 is secured one end of a spiral spring 13, the other end of the spring being suitably secured to the frame, substantially as shown; and to the top bar of the frame is secured a spring-catch 14, arranged in the path of the lever 10 and formed with a thumbpiece 1 1 for convenience in releasing the catch from engagement with the lever, so that when the lever has been moved to push the supports down to hold the machine erect they will be held in such position by the engagement of the lever and the catch, the engagement being maintained by'the force of the spring. secured a cord or flexible wire 15, which is led up through a guide-hole 15 as shown, and is provided with a hand-piece 15 by which the lever may be moved.

The supports may be made of any suitable material, and since they are of little weight they will add but little to the weight of the machine, and being adapted to turn and stand closely together when not in use they take up but little room and do not in the least interfere with the movements of the rider or the action of the machine.

The operation of the machine or device is as follows: When it is desired to dismount, or to use the supports while the rider is in the saddle, the cord 15 is pulled up until the lever pushes down the supports and the lever engages with the catch. This movement at the same time has turned the supports on their axes, so as to place the wheels outward, and the machine will be thus supported in upright position. When the occasion for the use of the supports has passed, the catch is pushed from engagement with the lever and the force of the spring then automatically To the front end of the lever isbearings to take the upper ends of the supports, aspring 13, secured to the front end of the lever, the spring-catch 14:, on the top bar of the frame, and a pull-cord 15, let through the top bar of the frame and provided with a handpiece, all arranged and combined to operate as specified.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM K. FLATT. WVitnesses:

FRANCIS W. SULLIVAN, T. A. CALDWELL. 

